Georgian Church Raises Abkhazia and Tskhinvali Issues with Moscow Delegation

TBILISI — A delegation from the Moscow Patriarchate met with Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III of Georgia, with discussions focusing primarily on the situation of the Georgian Orthodox Church in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region, according to Archpriest Andria Jagmaidze, head of the Georgian Patriarchate’s Public Relations Department.

The delegation was led by Metr. Anthony of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations. The visit also included congratulations from the Moscow Patriarchate and Patr. Kirill of Moscow to Shio III on his election as Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia.

Jagmaidze said the discussions centered on what he described as the principal unresolved issues affecting relations between Georgia and Russia. He characterized the situation in Abkhazia and the Tskhinvali region as an “unhealed wound” for the Georgian Church and Georgia as a whole, while emphasizing the need to find ways to address problems affecting church life in the two regions.

According to the Georgian Patriarchate, both sides recognized that there are opportunities for further work on issues concerning Orthodox communities in the territories. The discussions reportedly included possible steps toward establishing and strengthening contacts with local Orthodox communities.

“Overall, this meeting leaves hope that in the future, certain steps and ways may be found to add something positive to these painful issues,” Jagmaidze said. He added that the meeting could provide an opportunity for further efforts concerning the difficult ecclesiastical situation. The participants also recalled the ministry and contributions of the late Patr. Ilia II.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the Georgian Orthodox Diocese was to mark the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity as the state religion.